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Football began on 10th March 1905Thu, 08 Mar 2018 06:32:04 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngMowing Meadowshttps://mowingmeadows.com
Chelsea Best Bethttps://mowingmeadows.com/2014/04/24/chelsea-best-bet/
https://mowingmeadows.com/2014/04/24/chelsea-best-bet/#respondThu, 24 Apr 2014 09:49:10 +0000http://mowingmeadows.com/?p=1643April has been a month of mixed emotions for Jose Mourinho and his Chelsea side. Their Champions League dreams looked over after a 3-1 beating from Paris Saint Germain, before the Londoners overturned the two goal deficit and progressed into the semi-final of the competitions. Then, after a disciplined display, they drew becoming only the third team this season to stop Atletico Madrid scoring at the Vicente Calderon with their 0-0 draw. Should they win their next two games, then we will once again be the champions of Europe.

The Premier League campaign hasn’t been going so smoothly, though. They fell to their first home league game under Jose Mourinho in the 2-1 loss to Sunderland, leaving Liverpool to clear up at the top. On a more personal note, though, they did help me win my best bet to date. Going to the bookies before a game is something that has crept into my pre-match routine, and although I usually only dabble with small stakes, Chelsea vs Stoke in the first week of this month was too good of an opportunity to turn down.

After the disappointment in Paris, Chelsea were bound to bounce back against a Stoke side who went through March unbeaten. That’s just the way the Premier League works. With three wins and two draw from their previous five, they were never going to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

With a spare £10 of change in my pocket, I decided that Frank Lampard to score any time and Chelsea to win 3-0 was in with a chance.

Chelsea flew out of the blocks and never looked like losing. With Mohamed Salah opening the scoring in the first half, Stoke needed something special to get back into the game.

They couldn’t manage it though, and Frank Lampard scored Chelsea’s second to put the result out of debate, much to my delight. I waited for the third goal before I got too excited, and it duly came thanks to a strike from Willian in the 72nd minute.

Although there were chances for both teams in the remaining 20 minutes, the game finished 3-0, and Lampard did indeed score, so my instincts had paid off. Literally.

My £10 returned just over £360, which went down very nicely. So although April has been one that has seen Chelsea somewhat concede the title to Liverpool, it has not been without some success.

]]>https://mowingmeadows.com/2014/04/24/chelsea-best-bet/feed/0Frank Lampard makes it 0-3 to Chelsea against Stokeramonisaac91Football Themed – Casino Gameshttps://mowingmeadows.com/2014/01/28/football-themed-casino-games/
https://mowingmeadows.com/2014/01/28/football-themed-casino-games/#respondTue, 28 Jan 2014 13:11:12 +0000http://mowingmeadows.com/?p=1637Footie aficionados of legal age will be happy to know that there are a lot of football-themed casino games that they can enjoy online. Once the football match on TV is finished, fans can access these games via their computers and continue the excitement. The games offer more than just entertainment – they have exceptional gameplay and added features incorporated into the games. So, without further ado, here are two of the best football-themed online casino titles that can be played on the PC and mobile.

Football Rules

What’s just as thrilling as a football match between Chelsea and Arsenal and allows players to interact in multipliers? The slot game Football Rules, of course. Immerse yourself in this addictive slot game that features an exciting bonus feature and an even more thrilling progressive jackpots.

The game’s bonus feature is unlocked once the icon of the football player holding up the trophy appears on the first and last reels. In the bonus feature, players must choose their mystery rewards. First, players will be asked to pick a lucky ball. This ball will indicate how many free spins they’ve won. After that, players will be asked to pick a multiplier, which will increase all of the payouts in the free spins. The bonus feature is really fun to watch and you have to experience it yourself, to believe it.

Goal Three 2 Win

Castle Jackpot’s Goal Three 2 Win is a special-feature instant game. Unlike casino slots where players purely rely on luck, instant games work in such a way that players need to predict the outcome of the game. In Goal Three 2 Win, players must pick and match 3 football symbols. The symbols can either give players an instant payout, or progress further into the game. Players progress in the game when they match three similarly-colored footballs instead of unlocking footballs with the same numbers. When players reach the top of the board, they are rewarded with the game’s biggest prize payout.

There are many other games online related to football, but these two are quite possibly the most enjoyable. Do you know other football-themed casino games? Give us an idea by sharing them in the comments section below!

]]>https://mowingmeadows.com/2014/01/28/football-themed-casino-games/feed/0football-rules-slot-gameramonisaac91Doing it his own way as usualhttps://mowingmeadows.com/2013/12/18/doing-it-his-own-way-as-usual/
https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/12/18/doing-it-his-own-way-as-usual/#respondWed, 18 Dec 2013 22:48:39 +0000http://mowingmeadows.com/?p=1634According to The Guardian, Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o could be on his way out of the Stamford Bridge exit door after only one season of playing in Chelsea colours. With the Cameroonian’s contract set to expire next summer, Eto’o looks destined for a transfer to a Major League Soccer team with LA Galaxy and D.C. United becoming early front runners for the 32 year old’s signature.

Jose Mourinho will be looking to add fresh new talent to his striking ranks next summer given the poor form displayed by his current attacking trio so far this season.

Between Samuel Eto’o, Demba Ba and Fernando Torres, only 4 goals have been scored in league competition. Eto’o has contributed to half of these goals but for somebody who is a three time European Cup winner and a four time African Player of the Year, this is completely unacceptable and something Blues fans must now be left scratching their heads over.

Given the lack of goals and increasing transfer rumours, the question Chelsea fans are snow asking is should Jose Mourinho sell Samuel Eto’o? The argument in favour of keeping him, isn’t convincing. In fact, it’s a self defeating one that really raises the question, why was he ever bought in the first place. The statistics speak for themselves and according to Squawka, the Chelsea striker has only scored 2 goals in 9 Premier League appearances, creating just 3 chances in the process. Such poor attacking reading is undeniably a consistent pain in the neck for Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and performances need to improve quickly. Chelsea require a goal scorer that performs on a regular basis like former Chelsea hero Didier Drogba.

Samuel Eto’o is also a veteran of the game and at 32 years old, he is well past his prime. He may have won the European trophy 3 times and achieved many other accolades in his glittering career however they were when he played at the very top of his game, Chelsea require younger talent up front.

The argument for keeping the old dog is reliant upon looking at his past and keeping ones fingers crossed for the future.

Samuel Eto’o over the years has proven he can adapt to any league he has featured in. Whether it be the Spanish league, the Italian league or the Russian league, Eto’o has achieved double figures when it comes to goals and despite scoring just 2 so far in English football, Eto’o is slowly adapting to the English style of play.

Eto’o may well be a veteran of the game and may well be past his prime but he would provide high quality back-up to the first team if the first choice strikers like Fernando Torres got injured.

He would also make a brilliant final 20 minutes substitution to add that extra sting in the Chelsea attack. His experience would also benefit the other forwards in the. Chelsea squad as they can learn from him.

So where does that leave the Chelsea front line? In just a few words, “ a state of flux.” Lukaku appears personae non gratia, and Demba Ba was bought in haste only to be used so very sparingly.

But is this room for concern? Chelsea have scored 32 goals this season so far. The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge has rarely been less than electric. The demand for online tickets is always a tell tale sign, and Chelsea do brisk business. They routinely sell out.

It’s not just mince pies and mulled wine, the Jose feel good factor is definitely in the air. His frontline selections may have a few questions to consider, but not whilst things are on the up.

Chelsea’s forthcoming visit to the Emirates will be interesting, to put it mildly.

]]>https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/12/18/doing-it-his-own-way-as-usual/feed/0img-samuel-eto-o-chelsea-1379752152_620_400_crop_articles-173294ramonisaac91Chelsea vs Basel – Six years on for Mourinhohttps://mowingmeadows.com/2013/09/18/chelsea-vs-basel-six-years-on-for-mourinho/
https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/09/18/chelsea-vs-basel-six-years-on-for-mourinho/#respondWed, 18 Sep 2013 09:50:40 +0000http://mowingmeadows.wordpress.com/?p=1623Exactly 6 years to this day since the last Champions League game that Chelsea played with Mourinho at the helm. He was sacked following the 1-1 draw with Rosenborg, most will feel that it is an improbable scenario to repeat itself whatever the score line may be.

Chelsea begin their campaign against a team they beat in the Europa League on course to winning the trophy last season, Basel. The Swiss side are tricky opposition with a handful of attacking players that have looked extremely lively when the two sides met last season, in particular winger Salah whose pace and dribbling ability will make him a handful for whoever is tasked with marking him. Up front the pair of Fabian Frei and Marco Streller are capable of upsetting any defence as Manchester United found out a couple of seasons prior.

Mourinho comes into this game with a fully fit squad, Michael Essien the only notable absentee but that is due to the number of players the club are allowed to register for the tournament. Question marks surround who will play in practically every position. Arguably the only two guarantees being Cech and Cole, the pair enter their 91st and 101st Champions League games respectively and that experience is something this Chelsea team has over all the opponents in the group.

Up front, it remains to be seen whether Fernando Torres will be given the nod ahead of a seemingly not match fit Samuel Eto’o (who incredibly has already been written off in some quarters). Torres saved his best performances last season for European competitions, albeit the younger, less glamorous sibling. Although with a group that features two of the teams Chelsea beat in that run, this may be the best place to try and get some confidence into the once great striker.

Again fans will also be awaiting the team sheet to see whether Juan Mata is selected, although be prepared for “He’s not a Mourinho player” comments if he doesn’t, or “He’s putting him in the shop window” if he does. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Chelsea will once again likely look to Eden Hazard to provide the spark needed for victory, however his performances either side of his fantastic display against Bayern Munich have only seen flashes of brilliance. It has been his teammate. Could this be the day Willian gets his debut after seeing the light?

After last season’s, quite frankly, impotent defence of the Champions League, Chelsea will look to bounce back this season and nothing will perhaps please Mourinho more than to win the trophy and take out a full page ad in Marca and AS, the ever spiteful Spanish newspapers that are intent on holding on to their grudge with Mourinho.

Whilst the group is arguably as good as it gets for Chelsea, it is important to get off to a quick start and impose a dominance over the group. The last three games have provided two defeats (one on penalties) and a loss, a return to winning ways will be what the doctor ordered ahead of the only West London Derby this year – A friendly reminder to laugh at QPR’s misfortunes.

]]>https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/09/18/chelsea-vs-basel-six-years-on-for-mourinho/feed/020130918-105533.jpgramonisaac91Football Stars Carshttps://mowingmeadows.com/2013/09/04/football-stars-cars/
https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/09/04/football-stars-cars/#respondWed, 04 Sep 2013 01:33:24 +0000http://mowingmeadows.com/?p=1615The close of the transfer window is met with the sweet stench of desperation from football clubs in an attempt to persuade players to abandon ship and set sail in a different direction. One of the easiest ways to do so is to throw a bucket load of cash at the player, whether it is literally a bucketload or a tank parked outside the player’s house firing £50 notes his way till his resolve breaks. Footballer’s wages are met with constant opposition and ethical critiques… One thing is for sure, at the top level, it is a fruitful occupation.

On that note, we take a look at one commodity that footballer’s love to flaunt (no, not their boots!), cars. Chelsea’s very own Ashley Cole drives around in a car that costs £168,000. A figure which, before tax, would take him a mere 10 days to earn. On the other hand, that same figure would take me, the writer of this, ten years! At least Ashley Cole displays invariably good taste, owing to the fact that he has plied his trade in West London for the past seven years.

Without further ado, here are ten of the world’s biggest names and their car of choice:

]]>https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/09/04/football-stars-cars/feed/0ramonisaac91IG-FootballersCarsMourinho 2.0 Reviewhttps://mowingmeadows.com/2013/09/03/mourinho-2-0-review/
https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/09/03/mourinho-2-0-review/#respondTue, 03 Sep 2013 09:00:04 +0000http://mowingmeadows.com/?p=1601The new Chelsea operating system was rumoured from the turn of the year, a club notorious for the fast turnaround it has on producing new software. The product itself only came out for public use in July, Mourinho 2.0, has been a clear upgrade on its predecessor (Interim Dross) and was critically acclaimed even before release. It has been a fan favourite with the Chelsea community thus far and looks set to be even more popular than the initial system.

In our review of Mourinho 2.0 we take a look at the positives, the negatives and what we can expect from the upcoming update (2.0.1).

Pros:

Making Oscar the key component.

A lot is made of who or what is a “Mourinho” player, Oscar by and large ticks every box. Technically brilliant, relentlessly tenacious and more importantly, a desire to succeed. After a promising start under Di Matteo, Oscar’s influence faded as Benitez forced him into a more unnatural wide role, few can begrudge the manager choosing Juan Mata as the focal point of the team but the Spaniard has been equally effective out wide in his playing career, Oscar on the other hand visibly wasn’t. The second coming is only four games old but one of the more evident tactical changes has been Oscar’s berth in a more central role, similar to that which he is deployed in by Brazil. He’s been the season’s outstanding player so far, heavily involved in the majority of the positive play that the club has enjoyed. A delightful first touch is accompanied by a sixth sense of what is around him, his vision and execution has been near flawless. Yet that isn’t the reason Mourinho seemingly favours him in the central role, that is more likely due to his willingness to harass and press the opposition midfielders. For all of Juan Mata’s brilliance (and there is plenty of it), he can often be lazy in his defensive duties, the issue with this is that it allows the opposition to dominate the midfield area. Given that Chelsea’s midfield is no longer the elite machine it was five years ago, it needs all the support it can get from those players in an attacking position, Oscar is tactically aware and appears to enjoy his defensive responsibilities, despite his slight physique. In a position that Chelsea are thoroughly blessed with, Oscar’s ability to keep the team’s shape intact when defending gives him a clear edge over his competitors.

“The parts may remain the same but changing the order looks like it may have a profound effect.”

Hours of writing can be dedicated to the brilliance of Oscar himself but I will refrain, this time.

To sum it up – Oscar is everywhere.

He’s here, he’s there, he’s every*******where

Defensively robust

One of the biggest worries from the previous system, was the rate at which the club would not only concede goals but chances. Petr Cech’s best season since his head injury saved many blushes throughout last season. The keeper has maintained a staggering level of consistency and has started the season once again in spectacular form. He has however been troubled far less so far this season, the Manchester United game being prime example as the Blues conceded only 3 shots on target, which were all comfortably dealt with by Cech. It is a fulcrum of a Mourinho system, the team operates on the basis of preventing the opposition any chance and aims to stifle the opponent’s strength. The club’s strong start was in spite of its best defender, David Luiz sidelined with an injury that he picked up in pre season. Terry who was plagued with injuries last season and Gary Cahill who suffered a severe dip in form have both had solid starts to the new campaign. Cahill in particular already seems to be showing signs of Mourinho’s tutelage, frequently found square on last season with strikers running off him with ease, Cahill has been far more wary of the danger posed by attackers and is now more aware of his surroundings. One of the contributing factors to the club’s efficient defence so far has been the willingness of the wider players to help their full backs avoid two on one situations and a high/quick pressing game has given opponents little time to build attacks.

“All great products have to be sturdy and resolute, this is no different.”

Creativity in abundance

There was a tale about Balotelli being told by his mother to go shopping for cleaning products and he returned with amongst other non cleaning products, a Scalextric set. That’s a rough analogy for Chelsea’s transfer window, it hasn’t been as practical as most hoped but it has been entertaining. No true holding midfielder was signed, neither was the centre back position strengthened and the malnourished strike force has had promising young Belgian starlet, Romelu Lukaku loaned out. Samuel Eto’o has indeed come in, the 32year old is one of the most decorated footballer’s in world football but a two year adventure in Siberia (not really Siberia) begs the question whether he can cut it at the highest level again. Instead of targeting areas of concern, Chelsea have decided to strengthen the positions in behind the striker, the same positions that Oscar, Mata and Hazard occupy. De Bruyne’s retention and the addition of Andre Schurrle and Willian add immense depth to an already star studded cast. Similar to Manchester United’s signing of Robin van Persie, Chelsea have strengthened the area of the field they were strongest in. The approach ensures the likes of Mata and Oscar won’t suffer a burnout having to play 70+ in a season. Chelsea will hope the chemistry develops quickly between the players, their interchange and fluidity will be key to a successful campaign.

“There’s plenty of ‘Wow’ factor”

Cons:

Stalling midfield

Chelsea’s strength is no doubt their endless raft of creative midfielders, yet their effectiveness is reliant on how quickly the midfield in behind them can get the ball to them. Lampard and Ramires have been tasked with the job in all four of Chelsea’s games and barring a dominant first half display against Hull, they’ve failed to impose themselves on games in any sort of attacking capacity. Mourinho 2.0 has instilled discipline in their defensive duties but the Bayern game showed that they are far from providing the shield that Makelele did during the initial years of the Abramovich Era. Lampard has shown marked improvement since he initially took on a deeper role, his positioning and awareness means that he is far more adept in his understanding of his duties. However, deteriorating physical attributes are at times highlighted when the opposition can pass the ball around swiftly as he is bypassed. Ramires on the other hand arguably has the best ‘engine’ in the league but his decision making has been left wanting, coupled with his sub standard passing range it is a combination that has yet to impress. Don’t let the stats fool you. Against Aston Villa it was said that Ramires completed 90% < of his passes but a startling amount went backwards and his failure to make a decisive pass to the front four was evident, stalling and delaying even when a window presented itself casts a doubt whether he is the suitable candidate to play in a system that requires fluent passing.

“A minor issue with the Central Processing Unit, nothing that can’t be fixed”

Where’s the firepower?!

There are claims that the Chelsea set up isn’t accommodating for a striker to be prolific, rather it is targeted at the attacking midfielders to virtually do everything. A strange conclusion when you consider, two of the leading five players in the assist charts in Europe were Chelsea players. Long term targets, Cavani and Falcao both were sold during this transfer window and to many fans astonishment, neither ended up at Stamford Bridge. Instead, both South American hitmen (No, they aren’t gangsters) opted to ply their trade in France as the offers submitted by Chelsea fell short of the valuations placed on the pair. Hope was however restored following a promising pre season from Romelu Lukaku but in the first few games his playing time was limited and now he’s no longer at the club this season. The other two strikers that have seen minutes on a football field so far this season have inspired little more than despair and resentment towards the club’s transfer strategy. Fernando Torres remains unable to even act like a footballer that remembers what to do with the football and there are reports that Demba Ba may never have known what to do with it and was just rather lucky to rack up the number of goals he did at Newcastle. The Senegalese’s time at Chelsea has been one of a scorer of great goals as opposed a great goal scorer, meanwhile Torres remains, predominantly, a flat track bully.

“All the leading competitors have one apart from Chelsea”

Where are Torres and Ba? Frequently asked questions

With any new operating system, there are patches that need to be released to fix the initial bugs that are found. Mourinho 2.0.1 is expected to arrive following the International break, so what changes can fans expect?

Incisive from the back

David Luiz’s return gives Chelsea some much needed pace along the back line but perhaps more importantly given the impotence of Chelsea’s central midfield in being unable to get the ball to the danger men with any sort of urgency, Luiz provides remarkable passing ability and range from a centre back role. Many questioned whether the Brazilian, whilst being a popular feature in previous systems, would be returned for Mourinho 2.0, his injury made for an easy news story to link the player with a move away but Mourinho insisted on the importance of his inclusion. Now fit again, Luiz provided a quick glimpse of what he brings to the team as a defender by stifling a potent Bayern attack for vast periods of a game before providing a brilliant defence splitting pass into the path of Eden Hazard to set up the Belgian’s goal. The ball playing ability of Luiz will be a welcome relief to those in front of him as they can expect better service from now on.

Overhaul the midfield

As mentioned earlier, Ramires and Lampard have started every game so far in the centre of midfield, a surprising occurrence given the depth Chelsea have at the position, even more so given that Mourinho was adamant he felt Frank Lampard could no longer endure the trials and tribulations that are associated with a full season of football. Cameo appearances from Marco van Ginkel have been promising, the young Dutch international has an air of Michael Ballack about him in the way he carries himself. Assured on the pitch and seemingly in total control of the ball, van Ginkel looks a future star but given the lack of productivity from the current starters, a chance may well be offered to the player to prove that he’s ready now. His ability to distribute the ball and maintain a swift tempo in the passing game could well be indispensable to the club, his size and strength gives him the perfect build to be combative in the centre of the park and perhaps a dominant force for years to come. Another returning loanee and Mourinho favourite is Michael Essien, the once imperious midfielder had a very strong pre season leading players and the manager to claim that this was the best shape Essien had been in since his crippling knee injuries which saw him miss the majority of two separate seasons. An Essien that can rediscover a fraction of the player that once reigned supreme in the centre of the field will be essential to any challenge Chelsea lodge for silverware. Athleticism and technical ability married into a dominating physique can provide the impetus for drives going forward. A knack of breaking up play and a frequent catalyst for attacking play, Essien could be the solution to Chelsea’s midfield dilemma. Oh, and there’s always John Obi Mikel. The consistent performer in the centre of the park, Mikel provides stability defensively and a solid foundation to build from. Rarely given the opportunity to shine for club as he does for country, Mikel’s performances (barring Benitez’s tenure) have been grossly underrated.

Eto’o leads the line

The troubles those competing for a berth up front have been noted and are only likely to be exasperated if they are followed with similar performances. The signing of Eto’o has been met with mixed reviews, on one hand he represents the polar opposite of the club’s recent transfer policy in finding highly talented youth players that will be the club’s future for years to come. At 32, Eto’o is a seasoned veteran and this has also brought worries about whether he is the same striker that won consecutive trebles with Barcelona and Inter, he could well join a list of high profile strikers that have failed to emulate their form for previous clubs when at Stamford Bridge but at the same time it has only been two seasons since he scored 37goals for Inter Milan in what was a dire season for the club. Eto’o was at one point the world’s most feared front man and if he can replicate any sort of form close to his prime he will be the club’s best option up front by the proverbial country mile. He’s a striker that knows how to lead the line on his own and a striker that knows what is required of him when there’s plenty of creative in behind him, something both Ba and Torres have seemingly failed to get to grips with. Eto’o should be able to not only run in between the lines and draw the attention of opposing defenders but he’s skilled enough to drop in deep and link up with the midfielders, allowing them to run into the free space that will be created. A short term option, unlike most Chelsea recent signings but Eto’o looks set to be one of the most influential ones if allowed to fire.

Mourinho 2.0 Review

Whilst these changes are only the words of a delusional blogger, they do promise optimism and a bright season ahead for Chelsea. Whilst it is still early doors, the results so far are hard to argue with and the performances are likely to improve as each game goes by. The squad has the depth to challenge on multiple fronts this season and with Mourinho pulling the strings, anything is possible. 7.5/10

]]>https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/09/03/mourinho-2-0-review/feed/0Mourinhoramonisaac91He's here, he's there, he's every*******whereFalse 9 is too mainstream, Chelsea opt to play with 10men.Season Opener Draws Closerhttps://mowingmeadows.com/2013/08/07/season-opener-draws-closer/
https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/08/07/season-opener-draws-closer/#respondWed, 07 Aug 2013 10:15:15 +0000http://mowingmeadows.com/?p=1596The Chelsea season 2013-2014 kicks off in a little under 2 weeks against newly promoted Hull City. The game provides the club with a perfect opportunity to get off to a flyer. Chelsea’s preseason has gone according to plan so far and as the players regain their match fitness and dust off the cobwebs, the hunger to play a competitive game must be growing in them. Of the three sides that have come up from the Championship, Hull have been the least impressive in their transfer window dealings, a worry for the club’s chances of retaining their Premier League status. On paper, the game is as one sided as they get [Unless you are part of a match fixing scandal in Nigeria] but the first game of the season has been known to throw in the odd surprise result. The live event kicks off on Sunday August 18th at Stamford Bridge.

International friendlies taking place a few days before may be a blessing in disguise for Jose Mourinho as it likely saves him from the headache of deciding who to play, as he already seems set on at least resting the Spanish contingent who make their way to Ecuador and Mourinho feels the rest time between their arrival back into the country and the season opener isn’t sufficient enough to risk the players. This does however give the opportunity to some of the younger players to impress with Mata and Torres likely to be omitted from the first match day XI. The likes of Lukaku, Moses and De Bruyne will look at the first game as a way for them to make their mark with a rescheduled game against Villa right round the corner. There still however will remain a few positions that Mourinho will have to decide who he thinks are the most suitable candidates for the first game, particularly in the central midfield area. The Portuguese manager has already admitted that he will have to limit the amount of games Frank Lampard participates in and with the midfielder having missed the entirety of the preseason so far, he looks set to be excluded, leaving the likely two man midfield a four way race between; Essien, Mikel, van Ginkel and Ramires who look set to battle it out amongst each other [Not physically of course, Essien would win with one arm behind his back]. At centre back, there is a similar conundrum with Cahill, Terry and Luiz looking to contest a starting berth with Ivanovic likely to feature at right back if Azpilicueta makes the trip to Ecuador.

Mourinho won’t take the opposition’s strength, or lack of, for granted as this won’t be the first time he has taken charge of an opening day fixture for Chelsea against a side that had elevated itself from the championship, back then it was against recently promoted [Now recently relegated] Wigan Athletic and only an injury time screamer from Hernan Crespo saved the club from a mildly embarrassing start. Whilst it isn’t much of an omen to go on, but for the superstitious amongst you, Chelsea went on to win the league that season.

]]>https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/08/07/season-opener-draws-closer/feed/0ramonisaac91Can Chelsea Win The League?https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/07/27/can-chelsea-win-the-league/
https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/07/27/can-chelsea-win-the-league/#respondSat, 27 Jul 2013 11:08:09 +0000http://mowingmeadows.com/?p=1591With the tour of Asia complete, the start of the season draws ever nearer and Chelsea under Mourinho have looked near on faultless, even if the opposition has been below the standard they will face. Chelsea have strengthened the squad with the additions of Andre Schurrle, Marco van Ginkel and Mark Schwarzer, the three provide adequate cover and in the cases of the first two, genuine competition to the starting XI. There is also the Mourinho factor, the return of the now self proclaimed ‘Happy One’ brings an air of belief not only with the fans but more importantly, the players. Is everyone as confident as the squad themselves? Premier League outright odds place Chelsea as 9/4 favourites ahead of the two Manchester clubs and with the potential signing of Wayne Rooney, now may be the best time to back the Blues for the title and their 4th under Abramovich.

It isn’t only the arrival of new signings that has boosted confidence within Chelsea but the return of loanees. Kevin de Bruyne has impressed in pre season before suffering an ankle injury that ruled him out of the last game in the Asia Tour but the Belgian is expected to rejoin the club as they fly to America, however it is the return of Michael Essien that promises the greatest impact on the team. Often outplayed and out muscled in midfield, a revitalised Michael Essien ensures that is an unlikely event to occur this season. The Bison blends technical ability with an unbeatable physical presence that was severely lacking in the Chelsea midfield last season. Mourinho’s faith in his most trusted lieutenant has brought the confidence back in one of Chelsea’s longest serving players.

Another loanee from last season that promises big things in the coming season is Romelu Lukaku, the 20 year old netted 17 times last season for West Brom and showed that given a run of games he can perform at the highest level and with the level of service at Chelsea an infinite upgrade on what exists at the Hawthorns, defenders across England (and Wales) will have their hands full against the player, many feel will eventually be the successor to Didier Drogba.

Mourinho has emphasised his confidence in the young squad and whilst he feels they will not reach their potential this season, there is still more than enough quality in the ranks already to secure the title. Owner Roman Abramovich made a concerted effort along with technical director Michael Emenalo to recruit young players that had the world at their feet. Last season’s purchases of Eden Hazard and Oscar represent two of the world’s most talented attacking talents who will provide Chelsea the ammunition for whoever may lead the line come the start of the season. On the other side of the field, Mourinho has pinpointed David Luiz as the heart of his defence, debate still surrounds the Brazilian as to what many think his best position is and whether he even will feature in Mourinho’s plans but the Chelsea manager made it clear that someone of Luiz’s ability “Has to play, always”, Chelsea’s defence is not the impenetrable fortress it was in his first spell at the club but Petr Cech still stands in between the goalposts and following arguably his best season at the club since his first season, the season ahead looks very bright.

]]>https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/07/27/can-chelsea-win-the-league/feed/0Jose Mourinhoramonisaac91Making The Most of Pre-Seasonhttps://mowingmeadows.com/2013/07/13/making-the-most-of-pre-season/
https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/07/13/making-the-most-of-pre-season/#respondSat, 13 Jul 2013 10:03:13 +0000http://mowingmeadows.com/?p=1585Chelsea and Jose Mourinho prepare for their first game during “The Second Coming” a young and very talented squad is at the disposal of Mourinho. A squad that has the potential to play in various formations due to the versatility of the players and the temptation to overload the side with as many soon to be superstars as possible.

Last season Chelsea would line up in a 4-2-3-1 in an almost guaranteed fashion in the same way Mike Bassett claimed England would be playing “4-4-F%#!*ng-2”. Whilst there is nothing wrong with that, a lack of plan ‘b’ and a seeming refusal by both Di Matteo and Benitez during the campaign to drift away from the formation meant a relatively predictable attack at times. During the pre-season last year Di Matteo didn’t experiment with another system and made implementing one during the regular season all the more unlikely. Speculation is already mounting whether Chelsea will line up in a 4-2-3-1 or revert to the 4-3-3 that brought so much success when Mourinho first came to Stamford Bridge.

Potentially Mourinho’s biggest dilemma is what to do with Oscar, that decision may well be the key factor as to which formation the team adopt. There has been much debate about what will happen to the Brazilian under Mourinho, some seeing him the perfect option deeper in midfield playing the role of ‘Regista’ (assuming Mourinho maintains the 4-2-3-1) the position made fashionable by the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Xabi Alonso. Pushing Oscar further behind adds depth to what was a depleted central midfield last season. Essien, Lampard and Mikel who will also be vying for one of the two spots (along with Ramires) have a physically obvious flaw in that they never have or they no longer possess any great speed and have been found guilty of being a little flat footed at times during opposition counter attacks. Oscar’s youth and speed make him a perfect candidate for the role, however whilst he undoubtedly has the passing ability, positional intelligence and a willingness to defend it would almost be a sin to deprive Brazil’s playmaker a more advanced role that he enjoys with his national team. That role was however, under Benitez, occupied by Juan Mata and many feel the Spaniard is the better suited to the central role of the three in behind the striker. The likely scenario is that one of the two will end up in a wider position and the interchanging merry-go-round will commence once again but there are notable factors as to why Oscar is the more suitable to play centrally and one of the major ones is the fact that Juan Mata’s productivity under Di Matteo in which he would usually start from the right hand side was equally as effective, if not more fruitful than his time in the middle under Benitez. The other factor is Oscar’s defensive capabilities and desire to hassle opposition midfielders who are generally given a free licence to roam and pick up the ball without much fuss when Juan Mata is the central of the figures. This may not appear to be all that important but forcing a loose pass or a mistimed control deep in opposition territory can provide Chelsea with countless more chances on a quick break.

The other option that Mourinho may opt to take regarding Oscar is if he decides to play a 4-3-3 and use the Brazilian in the same way Toni Kroos is used at Bayern and similar in theory to how Frank Lampard operated under Mourinho albeit the pair are very different players. Oscar in defensive transitions would be tasked with dropping deep to create a bank of three ahead of the defence and be the link between the midfield and attack when in possession of the ball. A notable issue last season was the number of occasions the distance between the central midfield and creative trio became a gaping hole and passes had to be forced through as opposed to simple lay-offs being available for the player in possession. Oscar’s ability to dribble past players and vision for an eye of a needle pass give him the ideal characteristics to create space for himself and those around him in the final third of the pitch.

Of course, Mourinho may choose not to play Oscar…

No one wants to see a sad Oscar.

It isn’t just Oscar that poses a selection headache for Mourinho, the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Marco van Ginkel and Romelu Lukaku will be looking to impress the manager during the pre-season and show why they should be in the starting lineup. All the more reason for the manager to experiment with the vast of array of talent that he has inherited and added to. Chelsea will be looking to avoid falling into the pit of having to rely on the trio of Mata, Hazard and Oscar this season, who possess the ability to deliver but the strain and workload began to tell at different times throughout the season. It will also be important for Mourinho to assess John Terry’s ability following his return from an injury plagued season in which the club captain didn’t look himself in the slightest. An adoption of a high line with constant intensity may not suit Terry in his ageing years as the signs of wear and tear loom over him but his ability to end up in the right place and read the game has yet to be matched by the fellow centre backs at the club.

There is also the last chance saloon for a certain Fernando Torres. Still enjoying an extended holiday for his involvement in the Confederations Cup a return to former glory is all but written off, however a better striker than the one that has been seen over the past two and a half seasons is not out of the question. The squad is built for a striker to thrive. Creativity and speed in abundance behind, if Torres can find his shooting boots and make the clever runs in behind defenders that are required of him to get the best out of the midfield, the striker may well find himself keeping his job at Chelsea. A poor pre-season may signal the end of that run.

A season filled with high expectation awaits and it all kicks off with Chelsea’s first game this season on July 17th (Just over a month from the opening League fixture vs Hull) a friendly against a “Singha All Star” team on Wednesday at 2pm UK time which will be available to watch on Chelsea TV.

]]>https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/07/13/making-the-most-of-pre-season/feed/0oscar_chelsearamonisaac91Chelsea 4-2-3-1 football formationChelsea 4-3-3 football formationNo one wants to see a sad Oscar. Mourinho looking to entertain fanshttps://mowingmeadows.com/2013/07/09/mourinho-looking-to-entertain-fans/
https://mowingmeadows.com/2013/07/09/mourinho-looking-to-entertain-fans/#respondTue, 09 Jul 2013 12:16:18 +0000http://mowingmeadows.com/?p=1581Jose Mourinho took charge of training to begin his second spell in charge of Chelsea, as players returned from holiday only those that featured in the Confederations Cup remain on holiday as the club have given them an extended leave. So expect any transfer rumours that do come out to be about those select few who have yet to meet Mourinho.

With the new squad in place, many have questioned whether Mourinho is the man to set this side out to attack which is the clear strength of this team now. Mourinho assured everyone though that he’d do his best to entertain.

“I want to make Chelsea fans happy – by results, our playing style, by the mentality and personality of the team”

Mourinho also reminded those in attendance that his previous spell here didn’t lack attacking intent when it was called for as he recollected on his approach against West Ham in ’06.

“We were losing 1-0 and were playing with 10 men… I still gambled because I wanted to win with 10 men and we did win, 4-1”

Mourinho then focused on the importance of the “Old Guard” to instil the same mentality he once brought to the club almost a decade ago. A mentality that has followed Mourinho’s sides wherever he has gone.

“As some guys are arriving they have others who can transmit to them immediately what this club means… The Chelsea culture is continuously passed on from one generation to the next”

Less than 6 weeks remain before Mourinho and Chelsea kick off the campaign against Hull, the hope and expectation remains the same as when he first joined the club and the squad despite being relatively young have the capabilities to deliver with ‘The ‘Special One’ at the helm.